Maryland Philanthropy Network is pleased to host Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools, for a briefing about philanthropy’s role moving forward followed by discussion. Dr. Salmon will address questions such as the availability of state funding to address the digital divide, contingency plans should the pandemic return full force in the next school year and how MSDE is thinking about the community schools strategy in reconstruction and redesign.

A new demographic analysis of 2021-22 school year chronic absence data from the U.S. Department of Education reveals that the pandemic-induced dramatic increase in chronic absence affects students from all backgrounds and localities and is widening inequities. Join Hedy Nai-Lin Chang, Founder and Executive Director of Attendance Works, Larry C. Simmons, Senior Fellow with Attendance Works, and Dr. David Heiber, Founder and Executive Director of Concentric Educational Solutions, to learn about current interventions and innovations, what working, and necessary systemic changes to shift the current high tide of absenteeism. Moreover, participants will learn the role of funders in advancing strategies and recommendations throughout Maryland.

Flowing out of our 2020 Annual Meeting | Reimagine Philanthropy and Peer Conversation about Stemming Anti-Black Racism and other conversations, we’re creating space for members to connect and share reflections and questions within small groups.